In the 1980s, China was a poor, agrarian country with a closed economy and little global influence. But four decades later, it is the world’s largest manufacturer, the undisputed leader in clean energy, and a central player in the global economy.
In 2024, China invested $940 billion in clean energy technology. That is more than the GDP of most countries. It now produces 80% of the world’s solar panels, 70% of all EVs, and 90% of lithium batteries. Entire deserts have been transformed into solar megaprojects, and companies like BYD are outproducing Western giants like Tesla and Volkswagen.
In this video, we trace the rise of China’s industrial empire. From Mao’s Great Leap Forward and Deng Xiaoping’s market reforms to the creation of global manufacturing hubs like Shenzhen. We explain how China leveraged ultra-low wages, export-led growth, and foreign investment to become the world’s factory. And how Xi Jinping’s “Made in China 2025” plan aims to turn that factory into a tech superpower.
We unpack the state-driven strategy behind China’s dominance. Hundreds of billions in subsidies. Cheap land and electricity. Preferential tax treatment. Massive state-backed loans. This model has fueled overcapacity, distorted global trade, and provoked backlash in Washington and Brussels.
Is China simply winning the industrial arms race? Or is it playing by a different set of rules?
From trade wars to EV price wars, from state-owned banks to global supply chains, this is the story of how China is reshaping the future of energy, technology, and geopolitics. Whether the world is ready or not.
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